We left for Agion Oros early from our hotel in Thessaloniki to the Ktel Bus Depot. We bought tickets there for Ouranoupoli. Cost was 14€

So the bus to Ouranoupoli took two hours. Once we got there we had a gyros. Mine had pork, tomato and tsatsiki with chips.

It was time to catch the boat to Agion Oros from Ouranoupoli marina but for some reason we needed a special certificate that cost $25. Once we paid and got our paper we boarded and off we went.

The boat trip took about an hour. The waters sarounding Agion Oros were so blue just like you see in the pamphlets in a travel agency. The trees and greenery in the mountains was such a sight. Along the way we saw many monasteries built high in the mountains. It makes you wonder how they did it. Each monastery had it's own beauty.

So we landed and Lazarros greeted us. He wad a young man strong tall with a beard who helped carry my heavy suitcase.
We climbed many steps because our skeet was high up.

The skeet was small with many icons of our faith. Solar power provided all needed electricity. The floor wad vinyl. Lazaros prepared lunch for us. He worried that the potatoes weren't cooked good but they were fine. I took a cherry from the basket but I realized that the monks pray first so I asked him if I should eat one but he said it would be better to wait till we pray before our meal so I put it back. He showed us to our rooms and I wanted the left room bcause I am left handed but Peter wanted it; said his icon was in there so all good. Lazarus gave us sheets and we made our beds. It was a Tiny room but that's all we needed.

We were told to stay in our rooms to rest till coffee time which was at around 5 pm. The time was 3 pm.

I had the door open in my room I was wearing only briefs and the monk passed told me to close the door; I was learning fast that they're a little more private. I wad a little embarrassed but all good.

After some rest the big bell rang and we were up and on our feet for coffee time.

After evening vespers and prayer we all gathered for dinner which was same as lunch.

The elder picked me and Peter to come with him and Lazarros to an all nighter service called 'Agripnia'. This service was being held at St Anna Skeet higher up in the mountains. Peter and I weresxcitedbut we really didn't know what we were about to experience. We got our torches (we were excited we actually got to use the torches) and headed for the hills but we had to climb up 1900 steps, most people would of struggled but slowly and under the aid of the shunning light we made it. Felt like forever but once we got there we saw large groups of monk priests all sitting in chairs and chanting. The church was only lit by candles and the dim light of the candles reflecting from the gold/brass chandeliers and vigil lamps the feel of an old ritual taking place and the fell that something special was happening. Peter and I did feel privileged. We venerated the icons as well as a miracle icon of St Anne.

After a while the naked flame of the candle and the dark setting started making me feel sleepy and I found my self sleeping and waking up again, that happened for many hours.

Towards the end elder Christodoulos whispered to Us to follow him.
We walked into a small room with a few priest standing in their looking very official but one which went towards had an open box of an ancient relic. We were given an opportunity to venerate it; and so we did. It was more than 2000 years old and still warm and hadn't decomposed. It was the foot of St Anne Christ's grandmother / the virgin Mary's mother. This was Hugh for us. Peter and I just looked at each other and thought OMG!

When the service finished it was close to 3am and we still had to walk back to our skeet.

We got back eventually thank Christ. I then slept for 2 hours before it was to
Time for morning liturgy.